As I wrap up the week in Washington, I want to provide a quick update on some of the things I’ve worked on both in Connecticut and in Washington.
More Progress Made Towards New London’s Coast Guard Museum
This week, the House passed a two-year Coast Guard Authorization bill which included many of the important changes that I advocated for in this year’s Coast Guard Authorization bill, including a provision to help ensure the success of New London’s future National Coast Guard Museum. Among other things, the bill passed this week expands federal law to allow federal funding to be used to support engineering and design of the new museum – a step that will help provide additional support and momentum to this important project.
The Coast Guard is the only military service without its own museum, and the project is well on its way to becoming a world-class destination to showcase the rich heritage of our Coast Guard’s role in protecting the shores of the United States. I am glad to see the progress made in this bill, along with a number of important changes that will strengthen our Coast Guard and support the men and women who serve.
Trade War Hurts Eastern CT Dairy Farmers
The Trump administration’s trade war with Mexico and Canada continues to hurt the American agriculture sector. This year alone, our nation’s dairy farmers have already lost over $1 billion in profits as a result of these tariffs. Eastern Connecticut is home to many of our state’s dairy farms, including Oakridge Dairy in Ellington. Oakridge is one of over 40 eastern Connecticut farms who received federal dollars from a mitigation program created to compensate American farmers for these losses. However, as co-owner Seth Bahler told the CT Mirror, the relief they’re seeing from this program is really just a drop in the bucket.
Nationally, these dairy assistance payments will cover less than 10% of the losses incurred by farmers, who already operate with shoestring margins. This week, I sent a letter alongside my colleagues to Secretary Perdue at the Department of Agriculture asking the department for additional compensation for our farmers that exceeds the payment made earlier this year. The federal government owes it to our farmers to protect them from the damage inflicted by the President’s trade war.
Critical Need for Robust Climate Change Response
The report is in and the consensus is clear; climate change is a serious and present danger to the welfare and lives of the American people. The 4th National Climate Assessment, conducted by the U.S. Global Change Research Program – a federal program established through an act of Congress—in collaboration with 13 federal member agencies, finds once again that a warming climate poses a severe threat is to our national security and military infrastructure, economy, and the health of our citizens.
Already, American lives have been impacted by volatile storm systems and extreme temperatures, which have cost billions in damage and taken the lives of thousands. If nothing more is done to combat what is undoubtedly unfolding, millions more will lose their homes, livelihoods, and health. Notably, the report makes clear that climate change is a growing threat to our nation’s security and military readiness. For example, rising sea levels threaten our navy bases and shipyards, such as the Norfolk Naval Shipyard that supports repair and maintenance of our fleet.
It is critical that Congress and this administration embrace these findings, and implement a robust climate change strategy to save American lives.
Click HERE to see the National Climate Assessment.
Joe Courtney
US Congress
